Budapest

We had a great weekend last weekend at the Grand Prix in Budapest Hungary. As we are Grand Prix followers and have not yet been we decided that before rugby kicks off we should go. And I have to say I'd go again.

Down to the Track first thing on Saturday morning for the warm-ups and qualifying, and the organisation was really impressive. No congestion and really easy to travel via taxi's, in fact it was like this most of the weekend, never having to wait more than 5 mins for a cab and quick efficient service.

I never really appreciated just how amazing the GP drivers are. Watching them taking right angle corners at 90 miles an hour is quite scary. I thought I was clever driving 90 on the motorway. At first I didn't like it at all and sort of wanted to leave. It wasn't the noise, although it was pretty loud, but mostly the speed, I got scared for the drivers. Yes a bit silly considering I've happily watched them on TV for the past 5 years. Anyway after the first hour I got over the fact that they might die on every corner and enjoyed the tactics of the sessions. It was extremely hot, track temp 41, and there was no shade and no still mineral water. Between practice and qualifying we found a few trees to shelter under for a while, but I still managed to fry myself in a few odd spots where I must of missed with the sun screen.

After qualifying we went into Budapest and spent time having a drink in the main square. A bit like Brussels, but more relaxed. The heat really took it out of us so we went back to our hotel for a nap before dinner, negotiating our way by the underground system. Only 25p for a one way ticket. No gates, and no body checks, well that's what we thought.

I was quite surprised by the city as I expected an ex-communist city to look bland, old and plain, but in fact it was the complete opposite, with great statues and buildings and certainly a vibrancy to it this weekend. As it was Grand Prix weekend it was an opportune time for Hungarians to make a lot of money and some prices reflected this, yet meals were incredibly cheap. £30 for 3 courses, coffee, 2 cocktails, and 2 other drinks. We used the underground to get home, and couldn't find anywhere to buy tickets, so we decided to chance it. Of course this time there were inspectors everywhere at the bottom of the escalator so no chance to escape. We played the dumb tourists and showed some other tickets we had used that day. Considering there is English explanations on the back of the tickets we didn't have a great chance of getting away with that tactic and got charged £4 each anyway.

Sunday was race day with Michael Schumacher on poll, and set to win this year's world championship if he won, and also tying with Alan Prost for the most ever Grand Prix wins by a driver. We were surrounded by Ferrari supporters and a few Finnish supporters so didn't hear a lot of English. Gavin had a Steinlager cap on and we had the MacPac and after a while the couple sitting beside us asked if we were NZ'ers, they were too. Go all the way to Hungary and actually sit next to 2 kiwi's, it's a weird feeling like there's a greater force than us out there. That was cool though and we spent the afternoon and evening with them. They were late 30's and lived in Auckland working for Mercedes. Grant often comes to Europe for work but this time they'd both come and were taking time out at the race.

Before the race the drivers were driven around the track on a flat deck truck so all the crowd could see them. We also had a giant TV screen in front of us so could keep up to date with the goings on on the other side of the track. The race began and from the first corner looked fairly secure for Michael. It was fairly uneventful race altogether, although only 12 cars finished out or 22. We shared a cab back to Budapest with our new kiwi friends and enjoyed a few drinks with them in the shade. We got well and truly ripped off for the cab fare, £25 each, (so $75 for them) it was the only time we saw any congestion and so the trip took an extend amount of time. They had to met a friend so we said good bye only to see them again about 30 minutes later in a completely different area of town. So weird.

Monday was sight seeing day. We walked along the river and saw all the main buildings. They were very impressive, but again it was so hot. It was obviously a festival day as there were parachuters over the river and the chain bridge was closed as it had a massive fireworks display ready on it. Pity we couldn't have stayed another night as I imagine it would have been a great night. We had to be back at the hotel by 1.30 so we didn't have a lot of time but I really enjoyed it in Budapest. I'd love to go back. We found the people friendly and there was just a nice feel to the place.

 

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